13 Killed Amid in Dhaka Protests Over Job Quotas

Protests

Thirteen Killed in Dhaka Protests Over Job Quotas

Thirteen people were killed and hundreds injured in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as protests over government job quotas turned violent on Thursday. Clashes between anti-quota supporters and riot police escalated in the Rampura area, marking the deadliest day of unrest this week. The government has taken steps to curb the violence, including cutting some mobile internet services.

Violence Erupts Over Job Quota Policy

The protests, driven by high youth unemployment, have seen students armed with sticks and rocks confronting police forces. Authorities reported that the fatalities included a bus driver, a rickshaw-puller, and three students. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as protesters torched vehicles and police posts while police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government is at the center of the controversy over the job quota system, which reserves 30% of government jobs for the families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Although the quota was abolished in 2018, a High Court ruling last month reinstated it, prompting the current wave of protests. The Supreme Court has since suspended the High Court order, pending a hearing on the government’s appeal scheduled for August 7.

Government’s Response and Public Outcry

In response to the escalating violence, all public and private universities were closed indefinitely from Wednesday, with security forces deployed to maintain order on campuses. Despite the government’s willingness to negotiate, protesters remain firm in their stance. Nahid Islam, a protest coordinator, stated, “Discussions and opening fire do not go hand in hand. We cannot trample over dead bodies to hold discussions.”

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The nationwide agitation is the largest since Hasina’s re-election earlier this year and reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of employment issues. Nearly 20% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population is out of work or education, fueling the anger behind the protests.

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International Attention and Calls for Restraint

The international community has taken notice of the unrest. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to exercise restraint and called for an investigation into the violence. “The secretary-general encourages the meaningful and constructive participation of youth to address the ongoing challenges in Bangladesh. Violence can never be the solution,” said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Future of the Quota System

Prime Minister Hasina has so far rejected calls to abolish the job quota policy, deferring the matter to the courts. Law Minister Anisul Huq reiterated the government’s openness to dialogue but emphasized the need for peace and order.

As the protests continue, the situation remains tense. The deaths and injuries have intensified public scrutiny of the government’s policies and response to civil unrest. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be found that addresses the protesters’ demands and restores peace to the nation.

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Reporting by Ruma Paul; additional reporting by Michelle Nichols. Writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Sakshi Dayal. Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Miral Fahmy, Arun Koyyur, Frances Kerry, and Leslie Adler.

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